Young Votes for Annual Defense Bill to Support Our Military, Address Global Threats

WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) applauded Senate passage of theNational Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)for Fiscal Year 2026, which passed the Senate 77-20 last week. The annual defense bill will set policy for the Department of Defense (DoD), establish national security priorities, and give service members a much-deserved pay raise.
“The National Defense Authorization Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress considers each year. I’m pleased the Senate-passed bill includes several important priorities I’ve worked on to modernize our defense capabilities, support Indiana’s defense industrial base and workforce, strengthen our critical minerals supply chain, and maintain American leadership in biotech. I look forward to working with the House of Representatives to get this bill across the finish line,”said Senator Young.
Senator Young worked to secure the following provisions in the Senate-passed NDAA:
Support for Indiana’s defense capabilities and technologies:
Critical updates to Indiana’s defense infrastructure:
TheAUMF repeal bill,authored by Senators Young and Tim Kaine (D-Va.),to repeal the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq. The Gulf War started 34 years ago, and the Iraq War began 22 years ago. These conflicts have long ended, and today Iraq is a partner, not an adversary. This legislation, which was included in both the House-version and the Senate-version of the NDAA, would repeal the outdated AUMFs and close the book on these forever wars.
TheFinding ORE Actto strengthen U.S. mineral security and reduce strategic vulnerabilities. This legislation would create opportunities for collaboration between the United States and other countries to update geological mapping with the goal of locating critical mineral deposits. These partnerships would be mutually beneficial and provide the United States access to more critical minerals, reducing our dependence on China.
TheBIOSECURE Act, legislation to prohibit federal contracting with certain biotechnology providers connected to foreign adversaries. This effort stems in part from Senator Young’s role as chair of theNational Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology(NSCEB). The NDAA also includes 14 other NSCEB recommendations that would spur biotech innovation critical to our national security and defense capabilities and ensure the U.S. maintains global leadership in biotechnology.
Provisionsincluded in theIntelligence Authorization Actto authorize funding, provide legal authorities, and enhance oversight of the U.S. Intelligence Community. The NDAA includes language that would help keep America secure by addressing threats to our defense, industrial, agricultural, and health sectors.